Police Lieutenant

POLICE LIEUTENANT

Position Salary Range:  $70,066 - $108,602

Hiring Range:  $70,066 - $89,334 (commensurate with experience)

Please click here for more information about the Police Lieutenant - Recruitment Process

The application period for the Matthews Police Department – Lieutenant Recruitment process will be open from Monday, February 12, 2024, 8:00 AM – Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 5:00 PM. This hiring process will be used to fill three (3) positions, one in each of the Patrol, CID, and Admin Divisions.

Only selected candidates chosen to move forward in the hiring process will participate in assessment centers, which are being held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 and Wednesday, April 10, 2024. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Performs complex administrative work assisting with the supervision of the Police Department, managing an assigned Division, coordinating work with other law enforcement agencies and Town departments, overseeing the maintenance of files and records, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the direction of a Police Captain. Supervision is exercised over all assigned personnel.

Employees in this class perform supervisory and managerial work. Responsibilities include supervising both sworn and civilian staff; assigning and reviewing work; monitoring performance; researching, reviewing, and recommending departmental policies; operational equipment inventory, and building maintenance; performing crime prevention activities; reviewing crime trends and suggesting new program efforts; and maintaining records of division activities and other administrative work.

Work involves frequent public contact which requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness. Work is performed in accordance with department policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from the superior officers. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Police Captain and is evaluated through observation, discussion, and review of reports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.)

• Performs all duties and essential functions of subordinate officers.
• Supervises sworn and non-sworn staff through feedback, analysis, and annual performance evaluations; may respond to crime scenes or calls to back up other officers or review work in progress; manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; administers policies and procedures; ensures compliance with all policies, general orders, and Federal, State, and local laws.
• Assists with the recruitment and selection of department personnel; assigns, directs, trains, and inspects the work of assigned staff; coaches, counsels, and evaluates staff performance; develops staff schedules; recommends transfers, promotions, suspensions, terminations, and demotions.
• Manages operational equipment inventory and building maintenance.
• Coordinates community involvement activities of the department to include special event planning and community outreach efforts (Community Watch, National Night Out, etc.).
• Assists in the development of the annual budget; participates in forecasting funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Serves as liaison to associates and outside agencies.
• Acts as a representative for staff-level operations by conducting meetings, evaluating department issues and concerns, recommending solutions, representing the department at meetings and professional organizations, assuming leadership in the absence of management, and representing the department to the public.
• Performs the duties of a Police Officer.
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

(The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Thorough knowledge of law enforcement management, substantial judgment, and independent initiative.
• Thorough knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to law enforcement administration.
• Thorough knowledge of departmental rules and regulations, Town laws and ordinances.
• Thorough knowledge of the geography of the Town and the location of important buildings.
• Considerable knowledge of modern law enforcement techniques, principles, and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances pertaining to law enforcement operations and investigative procedures.
• Knowledge of investigative procedures, principles, strategies, and methods.
• Knowledge of supervisory functions and skills including leadership, motivation, communication, performance coaching and evaluation, and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of the community policing concept and de-escalation tactics.
• Ability to deal with the public firmly and tactfully.
• Ability to analyze complex police problems and to adopt quick and effective reasonable courses of action.
• Ability to operate personal computers including some knowledge of applicable software packages.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment and in the application of self-defense and de-escalation tactics.
• Ability to work calmly under conditions of high stress and physical and emotional fatigue.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise records and reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form, and to present effectively in court testimony.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Town Officials, citizens, community leaders, and the general public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and performing repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and 10 pounds of force constantly to move an object.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Must be conscious of safety methods to avoid injury to others and themselves; May be subject to hazards in law enforcement work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards to include but not limited to dangerous persons, heavy traffic, loud noises, and hazardous spills with fumes, oils, gases, and flammable liquids. This position is subject to all State and Federal OSHA regulations, including, but not limited to the following: bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication/GHS, personal protective equipment, slips, trips, and falls, etc.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency from an accredited educational institution by the date of employment application is required. Associate’s Degree with coursework in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Public Administration, or a closely related field is preferred.
• At least five (5) years of experience as a full-time sworn officer with at least one (1) year of experience as a Sergeant or an equivalent level of a Sergeant; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid North Carolina Driver's License within 60 days of employment with a safe driving record. (If you possess a South Carolina Driver’s License and maintain residence in South Carolina, you are excluded from this requirement.)
• Must have successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and currently certified to work as a sworn law enforcement officer in North Carolina (or must be able to obtain NC BLET certification within one (1) year of hire). Out-of-state transfers must be able to successfully complete the reciprocity process and requirements through NCDOJ outlined at https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/criminal-justice/officer-certification-programs/law-enforcement-certification-applicants/.
• Must be able to meet and maintain the minimum training, experience, and compliance requirements for the position as established by the Town and the State of North Carolina, including but not limited to the ability to obtain the credential of a sworn law enforcement officer, as issued by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, within one (1) year of hire.
• Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate issued by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission is preferred.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Town of Matthews requires background checks to be conducted on the final candidate(s) applying for any position with the Town of Matthews. For this position, final candidates must pass a background process to include but are not limited to work history verification, professional/personal reference checks, financial review, polygraph, pre-employment drug screening and physical, psychological evaluation, criminal background, driving record checks, and firearms qualification with final approval by the Police Chief. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test and/or participate in other assessments.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The Town is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Town of Matthews provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws in all terms and conditions of employment.

The Town of Matthews is an at-will employer.